Dak Lak steps up investment promotion in Japan

A delegation of Dak Lak province, led by Mr. Tu Thai Giang, member of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, held a series of meetings in Japan on 14 and 15 September. The delegation met with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) and the Lotte Group to present the province's newly expanded development space, its potential and its competitive strengths, and to explore opportunities in investment, trade and tourism promotion as well as business matchmaking.

At the Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan, the delegation was received by Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu, together with embassy officials and staff.

The Dak Lak delegation at a working session with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan. Photo: provided by the delegation

Speaking on behalf of the provincial leadership, Mr. Tu Thai Giang gave an overview of Dak Lak's new development space, its potential, its advantages and its priorities for attracting investment. He asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to provide advisory support on investment trends, requirements, and location selection criteria of Japanese enterprises, as well as to help introduce the province's investment environment and project portfolio to Japanese corporations, businesses, associations, and investors.

He also expressed his desire for the embassy to facilitate connections with Japanese enterprises, corporations, trade associations, and localities whose strengths align with Dak Lak's development orientation, while supporting the promotion of the province's agricultural products, OCOP items, processed goods, and specialty products in the Japanese market.

Praising Dak Lak's proactive initiative in organizing an early delegation to Japan to promote trade, connect, and seek cooperation opportunities following the implementation of the two-tier local government model, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu urged specialized agencies within the embassy to continue assisting Dak Lak in connecting with Japanese businesses, organizations, and partners, while advising the province on cooperation strategies, trends, and sectors of interest to Japan.

The working session between the Dak Lak delegation and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Photo: provided by the delegation

At the meetings with JETRO, the ASEAN-Japan Centre and the Lotte Group, the delegation gave a comprehensive introduction to the province's natural conditions, its economy and society, its geographic position and the distinctive strengths. These include an abundant supply of high-quality agricultural raw materials such as coffee, cocoa, durian and pepper, valuable marine and aquatic resources, and a transport network that is steadily being upgraded.

Alongside a briefing on the province's list of projects calling for investment in the 2026-2030 period, the delegation expressed its wish that Japanese organisations and businesses would accompany and support Dak Lak in connecting with well-resourced, experienced investors. The province is seeking partners for key projects in high-tech agriculture, deep processing of farm produce, the development of commercial and service centres, renewable energy, industrial park infrastructure, seaports and logistics.

The working session between the Dak Lak delegation and the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC). Photo: provided by the delegation

The province also asked its Japanese counterparts for information on consumer preferences and technical standards in the Japanese market, so that local agricultural products can move further into Japanese distribution chains. It proposed co-hosting business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking events and creating opportunities for Dak Lak enterprises to take part in international forums and trade fairs in Japan. In addition, it sought to learn from Japan's experience in digital transformation, green transition and sustainable tourism development that draws on the province's distinctive character as a place where highland plateau meets coastline. The delegation stressed that Dak Lak is committed to offering favourable conditions in land, planning and legal procedures in order to attract investment and broaden cooperation.

Responding to these proposals, representatives of the Japanese organisations and businesses spoke highly of Dak Lak's considerable potential, its standing and the soundness of its development direction. They pledged to continue studying the province, to share information about it with the Japanese business community, and to look into suitable opportunities for cooperation in the time ahead.

The Dak Lak delegation works with the Lotte Group. Photo: provided by the delegation

The Japanese organisations and companies also offered frank and constructive comments, along with practical strategic advice for the province. In particular, they suggested that Dak Lak shift decisively from a farming culture to an agribusiness mindset, build a closed-loop ecosystem running from production and processing through to consumption, and ensure full traceability of origin so as to establish a trusted brand and attract major investors on its own terms.

They noted their interest in expanding purchases of high-quality domestic agricultural raw materials to supply their processing plants. At the same time, they advised the province to step up publicity and promotion through the mass media, to invest in a well-connected expressway network, to position its tourism products around visitor experience, and to put in place carefully designed guidance and reception procedures so that investors and visitors alike feel confident and reassured when they come to Dak Lak.

Thanh Huyen